Electromagnetic valve



March 18, 1952' w, R, I 2,589,574

ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE .Filed May 22, 1946 l-illllr 1-: 4,0,4WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAMflI/IIIIM '11,;

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ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 18, 1952 ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE William A. Ray, Glendale,Calif., assignor to General Controls 00., Glendale, Calif., acorporation of California Application May 22, 1946, Serial No. 671,583

This invention relates to electromagnetically operated mechanisms, andparticularly to those capable of responding to small electric currents.Such mechanisms are especially useful in gas burner control systems inwhich the controlling current is obtained by thermoelectricity orphotoelectricity.

In an application filed in the name of William A. Bay on September 4,1944, under Serial Number 552,647, now Patent No. 2,550,297, andentitled Electromagnetically Operated Valve," a device is shown anddescribed wherein the polar area of the operating magnet is made largeand the magnetic path is carefully designed to ensure that thereluctance thereof is low, whereby the device is capable of operation bya very small current.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of improvedconstruction incorporating these features.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reliable devicewhich requires an electric current of small magnitude only forconsistent operation, such, for example, as may be provided by athermoelectric generator, or an electron multiplier tube.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel electromagnetstructure.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electromagneticallyoperated three-way valve of improved construction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an axial section through a valve incorporating theinvention;

Fig. 1-a is a fragmentary section, similar to Fig. 1, on an enlargedscale;

Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sections, taken as indicated by correspondinglynumbered lines on Fi 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections, taken as indicated bycorrespondingly numbered lines on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross section, taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. l.

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-139) Referring to the drawings, a valve is shown byway of example, incorporating the features of the invention. The valvecomprises a body 3 with a port 4 opening into the upper face of thebody, and arranged to be controlled by a closure member 8. For thispurpose, the port 4 is formed by an upwardly facing valve seat'5 adaptedto be engaged by the closure 8 to close the port. For reasons which willappear hereinafter, the port 4 is located unsymmetrically of the body 3and the closure 8. Accordingly, projections 6 and I are provided in thebody 3 for supplementarily supporting the closure 8 when on the valveseat 5.

An electro-magnet structure 9 is provided for operating the closure 8 toopen and to close the port 4. For this purpose, the closure member 8must be of magnetic material. When the magnet structure 9 is energizedthe closure member 8 is raised from seat 5 opening port 4; upondeenergization, the member 8 is released and returns to its seat,closing the port. The magnet structure 9 will now be described.

As pointed out in the above mentioned application, the ampere turnsrequired by an electromagnet to produce a definite intensity ofmagnetization depend mainly on the magnetic density and the reluctanceof the magnetic path,

- while the pull exerted by the magnet is a function of the polar areaas well as of the magnetic density. Thus by increasing the polar area,the pull of the magnet may be increased, and by arranging that thereluctance be low, the pull may be further increased, without anincrease in the number of ampere turns. The reluctance may be reduced byeliminating as many joints in the magnet circuit as is possible,ensuring that in such joints as exist the surfaces are sufficientlylarge and in intimate contact and by providing the smallest possible airgap. Additionally, the magnet core should be of small diameter, so thatthe mean length of a turn of the magnet winding, and hence the totalwire required, is reduced.

Referring to Fig. l, the magnet 9 comprises a cylindrical core ID ofrelatively small diameter, with an enlarged pole piece H at its lowerend providing a large polar area I2 for attracting the closure member 8.The upper end of the core III is provided with a large circular head l3having a tapered exterior surface l4 and a threaded extension [5. Thepole piece H and the-head l3 both are integral with the core [0. Anenergizing coil I 6 is wound on the core l0 and is adapted to beconnected through leads Iii-a and It-b with a source of electric energy,such as a thermoelectric generator or an electron multiplier tube (notshown).

An inverted cup or shell H, which may be formed of sheet metal havinggood magnetic qualities, is secured on core II] in a manner to provideajoint of low reluctance. For this purpose the top of the shell I1 isprovided with .a reduced tapered opening I8, closed by a cap IB-asecured as by welding to the shell I1, and forming a recess I9 foraccommodating the head I3.

A nut 20 threaded on the extension I serves, by engagement with the capIB-a, to urge head I3 tightly into engagement with the wall of therecess I9.

The lower end portion of the shell I! forms an annular polar surfaceextending about the pole piece II and cooperating therewith to attractthe magnetic closure member 8. The area of this polar surface may beincreased so as to be substantially as large as the polar area I2, byproviding an inturned edge or flange 2I on the lower end of shell I].The partaare so proportioned that, when the shell I! is secured tightlyin the core I0, the lower surface 22 .of flange 2| lies in the plane ofthe polar surface I2. The closure member 8, in released position on seatis positioned quite closely to the magnet faces I2 and 22, for examplefrom to away, so that upon energization of the winding I3, the member 8is attracted toward these faces. As is well understood, the core I0 andshell I'I,-as well as the closure 8, are formed of material which doesnot remain magnetized after deenergization of the winding IE. Hence upondeenergization of the coil I6, the closure 8 is released substantially.immediately to return to seat 5 by gravity.

The shell IT has anexterior extension 24 at its lower end secured to theshell as by welding, and providing an outwardly directed annular flange25 by which the shell is secured in fluidtight relation to a flange 3-aon the body 3. In this way the shell I! forms a fluid-tight chamber intowhich the port 4 opens.

Referring. in detail. to the structure of Fig. l, a three way valve isshown. Thus one or more ports 28 are provided, which are arranged to beclosed by the closure 8 when port 4' is uncovcred, and vice versa. Theseports 28 are formed inthe pole piece I I by openings through the polarface I2, into an annular chamber 29 formed in the pole piece. Each port28 is provided with a short tube or nozzle 38 which extends by a smalldistance, such as .005", beyond the pole face I2 to provide a seat forcooperating with the closure member 8. A single nozzle 30 and pins forsupporting the closure member 8 may be provided in the pole piece I I,in a manner similar to seat 5 and pins 6 and I, or, as shown, threenozzles 30 may be provided, as desired. The seats pro vided by thesenozzles 30 lie in a common plane closely'spaced to the pole face I2'asabove pointed out, so that, when the closure 8 is attracted by themagnets, the closure 8 will seat accurately on the nozzles 30 andeffectively close allthe ports; 28; At the same time only a very smallair; gap: remains between the closure 8 and the magnet faces I2 and 22.This ensures against sticking. of the armature or closure 8' after themagnet-is deenergized.

Theinterior of the shell I! is in free communicationwith a pressurespace 3i or the like, dcfinedi'n part by a wall, afragmentof which isshown-at 32, by a passage33v extending vertically through the bodyThe'portor: portson. one

side of the closure 8 then serve to admit fluid pressure to the chamber3|, while the port or ports on the opposite side serve to release suchpressure.

In the present instance, ports 28 serve to admit fluid. For thispurpose, a port 34 coaxial with the core It] and closure 8 is providedinthe body, and is adapted to be connected with a suitable source by aconduit (not shown) and the passage 35. A shallow bore 36 is formed inpole piece II (see Fig. 1-11) aligned with the port 34 and is connectedwith annular chamber 29 by one or more radial ports 3?. A short tubularmember 38 of non-magnetic material passing through a clearance aperture39 in the closure 8, serves to connect the bore 38 with the port 34.

To facilitate the assembly of the magnet structure 9 on the body 3, thetube 38 with the closure 8 in place thereon is fixed in the bore 36 ofpole piece II. The tube 38 is freely slid-able in port 34 so asto bereadily inserted therein when the magnet structure is mounted on thebody 3. To prevent leakage about thetube 3.8, port 34 has a counter borefi l-a, for accommodating a resilient packing ring 46,. which iscompressed into sealing relation by a shoulder 4| on the .tube 38 (seeFig. l-a) when the parts are assembled.

The port 4 serves to permit discharge of fluid from the pressure spaceand, for this purpose, is connected with a threaded opening 42 inthebody 3, by a passage 48. Valve means 44 may be provided for controllingthe rate of discharge.

To ensure return of the closure 8 to its initial position when theelectro-magnet 9' is deenergized, a plurality of upwardly flexed lightleaf springs 35 are provided in recesses 4t onthe upper side of theclosure 8 angularly spaced about its edge. These springs continuouslyengagethe flange 2 I, urging the closure downwardly. When the magnet 9is energized, the closure ,8 moves upwardly against the face of thesprings 45, the springs being flattened into the respective recesses 46.

One element of a conventional connector-may be provided at 4? in theshell Ilto facilitate connection of the leads IE-a and Iii-b to thecable or conductor leading to the thermocouple or other source ofelectric current. 7

When the coil i6 is deenergized, closure 8 closes port 4. Fluid frominlet .35 then can pass through ports 34 and 28 and the space in shellI1,- into the outlet 33, but not to outlet 42. When closure 8 is liftedupon energizing coil .9, fluid from inlet 35. can pass, as before, tothe shell IT, and out through port 4 to outlet 42,. but flow to outlet33 is interrupted by closure of port 28.

The inventor claims:

1. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body providing a support; anelectromagnet having a core mounted on said body with one pole face ofsaid core spaced above said support; means forming a port in said coreopening through said face, spaced from the axis of the core andsurrounded by a valve seat; a. magnetic. closure member interposed.between said support and said seat for movement toward and awayrroinsaid seat to control said. port in accordance with the energization anddeenergization of said magnet; and means forming a'passage connectedwith said port, including a tubular member extending axially of saidcore to said body and.- passing through said closure;

2. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body having a port surrounded bya seat; means mounted on said body and definingtlrerewitrta closedspace, said means including an electromagnet having a core with one poleface spaced above and facing said seat, there being a port in said coreopening through said face and surrounded by a seat facing oppositelywith respect to the seat in the body; a magnetic closure member movablebetween said seats in accordance with energization or deenergization ofsaid magnet to control said ports; means forming a passage communicatingwith the port in the core, including a hollow member extending betweenthe body and the core, and passing through an opening in the closuremember; there being a passage connected with said space.

3. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body providing a port surroundedby a seat: means mounted on said body and defining therewith a closedspace, said means including an electromagnet secured on said body havinga core with one pole face spaced above and facing said seat, there beinga port in said core opening through said face and surrounded by a seatfacing oppositely with respect to the seat in the body, the axis of thecore being offset laterally from the ports; a magnetic closure membermovable between said seats in accordance with energization ordeenergization of said magnet, to control said ports; means forming apassage communicating with the port in the core including a tubularelement extending axially of the core between the body and the core, andfreely accommodated in an axial opening through the closure member;there being a passage connected with said space.

4. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body providing a port surroundedby a seat; means mounted on said body and defining therewith a closedspace, said means including an electromagnet'secured on said body havinga core with one pole face spaced above and facing said seat, there beinga port in said core opening through said face and surrounded by a seatfacing oppositely with respect to the seat in the body, the axis of thecore being ofiset laterally from the ports; a magnetic closure membermovable between said seats in accordance with energization ordeenergization of said magnet, to control said ports; means forming apassage communicating with the port in the core including a tubularelement projecting axially from the core and secured thereto, therebeing an opening in said body for slidingly accommodating said element,means sealing between said element and the body; and means forming apassage communicating with said space.

5. In an electromagnetic valve: an electromagnet having a core providedwith a pole face; means forming a port in said core opening through saidface and surrounded by a valve seat; a magnetic closure member movabletoward and away from said seat to control said port in accordance withthe energization and deenergization of said magnet; and means passingthrough said closure and extending into said core to form a passageconnected with said port.

6. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body having a port surrounded bya seat; an electromagnet having a core with one pole face spaced fromsaid seat, there being a port in said core opening through said face andsurrounded by a seat facing oppositely with respect to the body seat; amagnetic closure member movable between said seats in accordance withenergization or de-energization of said magnet to control said ports;and means extending into said core and passing through said closuremember to form a passage communicating with the port in the core.

7. In an electromagnetic valve: a valve body having a port surrounded bya seat; an electromagnet having a core with one pole face spaced fromsaid seat, there being a port in said core opening through said face andsurrounded by a seat facing oppositely with respect to the body seat; amagnetic closure member movable between said seats in accordance withenergization or de-energization of said magnet to control said ports;means extending into said core and passing through said closure memberto form a passage communicating with the port in the core; and means insaid body for controlling the flow of fluid through said body port.

WILLIAM A. RAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 722,302 Holley et a1 Mar. 10,1903 1,150,562 Vose Aug. 17, 1915 1,754,740 Clarkson Apr. 15, 19302,087,387 Price July 20, 1937 2,096,763 Ray Oct. 26, 1937 2,261,562 RayNov. 4, 1941 2,289,456 Ray July 14, 1942 2,324,642 Peterson July 20,1943 2,353,848 Ray July 18,1944 2,358,828 Ray Sept. 26, 1944 2,370,752Ray Mar. 6, 1945 2,372,853 Ray Apr. 3, 1945 2,374,895 Ray May 1, 19452,435,076 Hall Jan. 27, 1948 2,461,772 Ray Feb. 15, 1949 2,465,036 RayMar. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,513 Great Britain1907 574,387

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